Faith, Poverty, and Social Justice: A Christian Perspective

The Christian Faith: A Personal Experience

The Christian faith is a personal commitment to Christ. Our trust in His mode of being and behavior with us belongs to the realm of a personal faith relationship.

Stages of the Process:

• Search: Desire to find Jesus.
• Discovery: Listen to His teachings and desire to experience them.
• Accession: Peter responds to Jesus by freely following Him and doing what He says.
• Infidelity/Doubt: Denying God in difficult times for fear of what people might say.
• Commitment: Being committed to follow Jesus to the end.
• Integration: Integration into the community of believers, the Church.

Global Disparities: Current Situation

In a globalized world, the impoverishment of the Global South is closely related to the overabundance of the Global North. This inequality is often built on the exploitation and expropriation of natural resources. There are different forms of poverty, including illiteracy, exploitation, and social, political, and religious oppression. Many societal groups in developing countries are exploited or suffer marginalization. Among these vulnerable groups, children are perhaps the most attacked, suffering from sexual exploitation, child labor, and more. In addition to children, other groups also face significant marginalization, such as immigrants and women. The degree of malnutrition varies significantly across countries. Africa, for instance, is much more populous than Europe and is the continent where hunger is most prevalent. Regarding poverty, it's often said that "we live on the same planet, but not in the same neighborhood." Poverty extends beyond mere statistics; for example, eleven million children under five die each year from preventable diseases.

Social Roots of the Problem

Social inequalities, extreme working hours, low wages, and a lack of rights led to the emergence of the proletariat. This class reacted with protests and strikes, demanding dignified rights and living conditions. The working class itself emerged in the late eighteenth century with the appearance of large factories. All these factors contributed to the rise of significant social inequalities, with workers often living in subhuman conditions, enduring long hours and minimal wages, and lacking fundamental rights.

The Church's Response

On May 15, 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum, the first official Church document addressing these issues. It can be summarized in four key points:

1. Defends private property.
2. States that the government must facilitate the initiative of individuals and corporations.
3. Affirms the right of workers to a sufficient salary for a decent life.
4. Condemns class struggle but recognizes the right of workers to form associations to defend their interests.